Apparatus for setting textile fibers



Dec. 5, 1961 J. R. BROWNELL 3,011,327

APPARATUS FOR SETTING TEXTILE FIBERS Filed May 22, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. Joli/7 iii Brahma/l,

A TTOAIVEYS.

Dec. 5, 1961 J; RBROWNELL 3,011,327

APPARATUS FOR SETTING TEXTILE FIBERS Filed May 22, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 418 172 FIG. 6 g3 16 I I 30 44- 31 INVENTOR.

Joli/2 H. Bran Well,

3,011,327 APPARATUS FOR SETTING TEXTILE FIBERS John R. Brownell,Telford, Pa., assignor to Turbo Machine Company, Lansdale, Pa., acorporation of Pennsylvania Filed May 22, 1961, Ser. No. 111,711 Claims.(Cl. 685) This application relates generally to apparatus for treatingtextile materials and particularly to apparatus primarily for treatingloose textile materials in bulk, such, for example, as pre-crimped nylonstaple, with steam or other hot gaseous treating medium under pressureto permanently set the crimps.

An object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus in thenature of an autoclave capable of being loaded and unloaded with extremefacility.

Another object is to provide such an autoclave with a revolvablereceptacle for containing the work which receptacle is automaticallyopened for being loaded and unloaded when the door of the autoclave isopened and automatically closed when the door of the autoclave is 7closed.

Another object is to provide an autoclave with a door and such areceptacle movable rectilinearly as a unit between fully open and fullyclosed positions.

Other objects of theinvention will become apparent when the followingdescription is read with'reference to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of apparatus constructed in accordance with theinvention, the apparatus being shown in the condition thereof when beingloaded or unloaded;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown. in FIG. 1, part beingbroken away to expose the interior;

FIG. :3 is an enlarged front elevation of the apparatus, the apparatusbeing shown closed but not locked;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section through theapparatus, the apparatusbeing shown closed and locked;

FIG. ,5 is an enlarged section on line VV of FIG. 2;

and

FIG. 6 is an enlargement of the area designated VI in FIG; 4. V A

The apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention comprises aconcrete foundation, generally designated 10, upon which are two uprightsupports 12 carrying an horizontally extending vessel, generallydesignated 14, having a door, generally designated 16.

The vessel 14 is provided with a cylindrical main body 18 at one end ofwhich is a dished end wall 20. About the opposite end of the body 18 isa collar 22 which is provided-with a radially outwardly extending fiange24. The door 16 is provided with a dishedmain body 26 about the rim ofwhich extendsa collar generally designated 28. This collar is providedwith a radially out- 3,011,327 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 ICC 54 on a bracket56, which is affixed to the body 18 of supplied to the cylinder 52through lines 62 and 64.

Mounted upon one of the cylinders 52 is a bracket 66, which carries apair of limit switches 68 and 70 operated by an element 72 carried bythe associated piston rod 58.

Extending horizontally across the bottom of the vessel 14 is a plate 74into which is set a pan generally designated 76. The pan has a bottom 78and opposite side walls each including an upright area 80 and a slopingskirt 82. At each end of the pan is an upright end wall 84-. The pancontains heat exchange means, generally designated 86, which meansincludes a plate coil 88 connected to a line 90 which extends through asleeve 92 and a plate coil 94 connected to a line 96, extending througha sleeve 98.

Mounted upon the plate 74 are four roller assemblies, each comprising abracket 100 mounting a flanged roller 2 102 upon a pin 104.

Wardly extending flange 30. bearing circumferentially groove 43 in theflange 24. The opposite end of the body 40 is providedwithcircumferentially equally spaced radially inwardly extending lugs44. The ring 38 is bored as at 46, and fitted into the bore is a greasefitting 48. On each side of the vessel is a pneumatic motor, generallydesignated 50, having a cylinder 52'pivoted at Revolvably mounted uponthe rollers 102 is a rigid frame, generally designated 108, includingfour longitudinally extending tubular runner members circumferentiallyequally spaced about the inner periphery of. three ring members 112.

Within the frame 108 is a receptacle, generally designated 114, havingan horizontally extending perforated cylindrical body including a lowerhalf section 118 and an upper half section 120. At the rear of thecylindrical body is a dished end wall 122, and at the front end of thecylindrical body is a dished end wall 124 both aflixed to the lower halfsection 118 of the cylindrical body.

Aflixed to each longitudinally extending edge of the lower half section118 is a split tubular member forming a bead 126, and overlying eachhead 126 is a flange 128 afiixed to the longitudinally extending edge ofthe upper half section and to the ring members 112, the flange 128 beingsemi-circular in transverse, section. The upper half section 120 orcover is provided with opposite side longitudinally extending sections130 and an intermediate section 132 secured to the two upper ones of therunner members 110. The lower half section 118 is crimped as at 134- tofit over the two lower ones of the runner members 110.

Mounted upon the end wall 122 of the receptacle 114 are four radiallyextending brackets, generally designated 136, each of which includes apair of laterally spaced plates 138, a spacer 140, and a pin 142 havingopposite end portions journalled respectively in the plates 138 andmounting a grooved roller 144. Mounted upon the'end wall 124 of thereceptacle 114 is a fitting 146to which is afiixed one end of a shaft148. The opposite end of the shaft 148 extends through a sleeve journal150 mounted upon the door 16. The shaft extends forwardly beyond thedoor 16, and on the outside of the door the journal 150 is provided witha gland 151. Mounted upon the journal 150 is an index bracket 152, andcoacting with the index bracket 152 is a pointer 154 affixed to a cam155 mounted upon the shaft 148. The cam 155 controls a microswitch (notshown) mounted upon the bracket 152 for a purpose to appear.

Underlying the door 16 is acarriage, generally designated 156, providedwith four grooved wheels 158 movable over a pair of rails 160' ofinverted V-shape in transverse section. Wheels 158 are mounted uponaxles 162 journalled in bearings 164 secured by adjusting studs 165 to aframe including an horizontally extending plate 166. The frame alsoincludes upright opposite side plates 168 secured together at the upperfore extremities there- 3 of by an horizontally extending tubular tiemember 17%. illnzderlying the tubular member 176 is a guard screenMounted upon one of the side plates 168 is an electric motor and changespeed unit 174, the output shaft of which mounts a sprocket 175 overwhich a chain 176 is trained, which is also trained over a sprocket 181carried by a shaft 181 journalled in a sleeve bearing'182 carried'by thedoor 16. The opposite end of the shaft 181 mounts a chain sprocket 184,and trained over the chain sprocket 184 is a chain 186, which is alsotrained over a sprocket 188 affixed to the fitting 146.

Mounted upon the other plate 168 is a reversible motor and change speedunit 190, the output shaft of which mounts a sprocket 192. Trained overthe sprocket 19 2 is a chain 124, which is also trained over a sprocket1%. The latter sprocket is mounted upon the fore 162, which also mountsa sprocket 198. Trained over the sprocket 198 is a chain 290, which isalso trained over a sprocket 202 mounted upon the rear axle 162.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 the apparatus is shown open, inits condition for receiving the load of textile materials to be treated.The materials are lowered into the lower half section 118 of thereceptacle 114 between the opposite end walls 122 and 124 thereof. Thenthe apparatus is closed.

This is effected by energizing. the motor 1963. Chain drives 194 and 2%drive axles 162 and wheels 158 in a direction to move the carriage 156rearwardly toward the vessel 14.

The door 16 and the fore end of the lower half section 118 of thereceptacle 114 are carried by the carriage. The rear end of the lowerhalf section 118 of the receptacle 114 is carried by the rollers 14 4hearing on the two lower ones of the runner members 110. Movement of thelower half section 118 of the receptacle 114 is rectilinear, all fourrollers 144 working respectively on runner members 110 and all fourwheels 158 of carriage 156 working on the rails 160 to guide the section118 during this rectilinear movement. The beads 126 shift rearwardly andslide into and under the flanges 128 while thercrimped areas 134 sliderearwardly over the underlying runners 110.

As the door approaches its closed position the several lugs 31 of doorcollar 28 pass between the several lugs 44 of locking ring 38, and alimit switch 2% is operated, whereupon the electric circuit supplyingpower to the motor 190 is opened and movement of the carriage isterminated.

Now the door is locked by supplying pressure through lines 62 to thecylinders 52 of the pneumatic motors 50, whereupon piston rods 58 areretracted. Locking ring 38 is turned counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG.3) to position each lug 44 on the locking ring 38 alongside a lug 31 onthe door collar 28. Air pressure is relieved when the limit switch 70 isoperated by the element 72. Thus the gasket 32 is compressed and thedoor sealed tight. Air pressure may be introduced through a line (notshown) and through an opening 36 to the gasket groove 34- to aid insealing the door tight. Movement of the locking ring may be facilitatedby injecting grease into the locking ring groove 43 through an opening46 and a grease fitting 48. When the door is locked, a limit switch 205is operated, which signals the fact to the electric system.

The pan 76 is supplied with water through line 206 and is kept full ofwater sufficient for covering plate coils 88 and 94. The water level iscontrolled automatically by means indicated at 208. Steam is supplied tothe plate coils 88 and 94 through lines 90 and 96. Water boils off andcharges the interior of the vessel with steam for treating the textilematerials in the receptacles 114. A safety valve is provided at 210.

The apparatus is provided with an automatic safety door lock, generallydesignated 212, which is supplied with pressure through a line 214. Whenpressure in the vessel 14 is built up to a predetermined point, adiaphragm is moved which actuates a rod 216. The rod shifts axially andprojects forwardly, operatively between the lugs 31 of the collar 28 andthe lugs 44 of the locking ring 38 so that the locking ring cannot turn.When the pressure in the vessel 14 drops, the rod 216 is retracted andthe locking ring may be turned to unlock the door.

The motor 174 is now energized and operates through the chain drives 176and 186 to actuate the shaft 148, whereupon the receptacle 114 and theframe 103 rotate as a unit, frame 108 being cradled for rotation on theset of rollers 1412.

From the top of the vessel 14 extend a temperature capillary tube 222and a steam pressure line 224 to a control panel (not shown). A steampressure line 226 extends to a warning light on the control panel.

After a predetermined treatment time, the electric circuit supplyingpower to the motor 174 is opened, whereupon receptacle 114 and the frame108 stop rotating. The circuit will not open, however, until the earnoperates the microswitch mounted upon the bracket 152, at which time thelower half section 118 is lowermost. The indicator 154 tells what theposition of the receptacle is; Steam may be exhausted from the vesselthrough line 218, and condensate may be drained from the vessel throughlines 219 and 221. As indicated hereinabove, the safety lock operateswhen the pressure in the vessel drops.

Now the door is unlocked by supplying pressure through lines 64, insteadof lines 62, to cylinders 52 of pneumatic motors 50. The piston rods 58are extended, whereupon the locking ring 38 is turned clockwise to itsinitial position wherein the lugs respectively on the collar 28 and thelocking ring 38 are disposed in staggered relation. The air pressure isrelieved when the limit switch 68 is operated by the element 72. Whenthe locking ring is in its unlocked position the limit switch 205 isoperated and signals the electrical system that such isthe fact.

The motor is now re-energized and it operates in reverse direction tomove the carriage 156 forwardly away from vessel 14. The rear ofthecarriage is carried by the lower rollers 144 working on the lowerrunners 110 and, as in the closing movement described hereinbefore, theopening movement of the receptacle is rectilinear. The beads 126 slideoutwardly from under the flanges 128 and thecrimped areas 134 slideoutwardly over the underlying runners 110. As the carriage approachesthe end of its outward movement, a limit switch 220 is operated by thecarriage, whereupon the electric circuit supplying power to the motor190 is opened and the movement of the carriage is terminated. Thetreated material in the receptacle 114 may now be unloaded and othermaterial to be treated may be loaded into the receptacle.

An exemplary method of treating material in the apparatus is as follows:Vacuum may be applied through the line 218 to evacuate the vessel. andto drop the internal pressure to sub-atmospheric. Then the vessel may becharged with steam and the pressure raised to superatmospheric. Thesteam is generated in the vessel itself, being boiled off from the waterin the pan at the bottom of the vessel. Then the vessel may beexhausted. The foregoing treatments may now be repeated as often asdesired, then the vessel may be vented to atmosphere prior to openingthe door for unloading the work.

It will be understood, of course, that the invention is susceptible ofvarious changes and modifications which may be made without departingfrom the real spirit or general principles thereof, and it isaccordingly intended to claim the same broadly, as well as specifically,as indicated in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as follows:

1. In textile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a fluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber fromatmosphere, a receptacle in 3 said chamber including a cover over anopening in 'said receptacle through which said receptacle may be loadedwith work and unloaded, means mounting said receptacle for rotation,means for rotating said receptacle, means for charging said chamber withand exhausting therefrom a heated vaporous work treating medium undersuperatmospheric pressure, means mounting said receptacle for shiftinghorizontally from beneath said cover to a loading and unloading position'without said chamber, and means for opening said door and shifting saidreceptacle through the door opening to said loading and unloadingposition.

27 In textile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a fluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber fromatmosphere, a receptacle in said chamber including a generallyhorizontally disposed cylindrical body, upright opposite end walls, anda cover over an opening in said receptacle through which said receptaclemay be loaded with work and unloaded, said cover being a section of saidcylindrical body, means mounting said receptacle for rotation about itslongitudinal axis, means for rotating said receptacle, means forcharging said chamber with and exhausting therefrom.

a heated vaporous work treating medium under superatmospheric pressure,means mounting said receptacle for axially shifting horizontally frombeneath said cover to a loading and unloading position without saidchamber, and means for opening said door and shifting said receptaclethrough the door opening to said loading and unloading position 3 3. Intextile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamber having afluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber from atmosphere, areceptacle in said chamber including a generally horizontally disposedcylindrical body, upright opposite end walls, and a cover over anopening in said receptacle through which said receptacle may be loadedwith work and unloaded, said cover being a section of said cylindricalbody, means mounting said receptacle for rotation about its longitudinalaxis including anti-friction means under said. receptacle, and a frameembracing. and carrying said receptacle and revolvably mounted upon saidanti-friction means, means for rotating said receptacle and frame as aunit on said anti-friction means, means for charging said chamber withand exhausting therefrom a heated vaporous work treating medium undersuperatmospheric pressure, means mounting said receptacle for axiallyshifting horizontally from beneath said cover to a loading and unloadingposition without said chamber, and means for opening said door andshifting said receptacle through the door opening to said loading andunloading position.

4. In textile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a fluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber fromatmosphere, a receptacle in said chamber including a generallyhorizontally disposed cylindrical body, upright opposite end walls, anda cover over an opening in said receptacle through which said receptaclemay be loaded with work and unloaded, said cover being a section of saidcylindrical body, means mounting said receptacle for rotation about itslongitudinal axis including anti-friction means under said receptacle,and a frame including axially spaced ring members embracing and carryingsaid receptacle and revolvably,

mounted upon said anti-friction means, said cover being fixed relativeto said frame, means for rotating said receptacle and frame as a unit onsaid anti-friction means, means for charging said chamber with andexhausting therefrom a heated vaporous work treating medium undersuperatmospheric pressure, means mounting said receptacle for axiallyshifting horizontally from beneath said cover to a loading and unloadingposition without said chamber, and means for opening said door andshifting said receptacle through the door opening to said loading andunloading position.

5. In textile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a fluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber fromatmosphere, a receptacle in said chamber including a generallyhorizontally disposed cylindrical body, upright opposite end walls, anda cover over an opening in said receptacle through which said receptaclemay be loaded with work and unloaded, said cover being a section of saidcylindrical body, means mounting said receptacle for rotation about itslongitudinal axis including anti-friction means under said receptacle,and a frame including axially spaced ring members embracing and carryingsaid receptacle and revolvably mounted upon said anti-friction means,said cover being fixed relative to said frame, means for rotating saidreceptacle and frame as a unit on said anti-friction means, means forcharging said chamber with and exhausting therefrom a heated vaporouswork treating medium under superatmospheric pressure, means mountingsaid receptacle for axially shifting horizontally from beneath saidcover to a loading and unloading position without said chamber includinga plurality of runner members circumferentially spaced about said ringmembers and extending longitudinally of said receptacle, and rollerscarried by said receptacle respectively engaged with said runnermembers, and means for opening said door and shifting said receptaclethrough the door opening to said loading and unloading position, saidrollers moving over said runner members thereby to carry the trailingend of said receptacle.

'6. In textile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a fluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber fromatmosphere, a receptacle in said chamber including a generallyhorizontally disposed cylindrical body, upright opposite end walls, anda cover over an opening in said receptacle through which said receptaclemay be loaded with work and unloaded, said cover being a section of saidcylindrical body, means mounting said receptacle for rotation about itslongitudinal axis, means for rotating said receptacle, means forcharging said chamber with and exhausting therefrom a heated vaporouswork treating medium under superatmosphe ric pressure, means mountingsaid door and receptacle for shifting as a unit outwardly from saidchamber to open said door and move said receptacle from beneath saidcover to a loading and unloading position without said chamber, andmeans for opening said door and shifting said receptacle through thedoor opening to said loada ing and unloading position.

7. In textile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a fluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber fromatmosphere, a receptacle in said chamber including a generallyhorizontally disposed cylindrical body, upright opposite end walls, anda cover over an opening in said receptacle through which said receptaclemay be loaded with work and unloaded, said cover being a section of saidcylindrical body, means mounting said receptacle for rotation about itslongitudinal axis, means for rotating said receptacle including a shaftrevolvably journalled in said door and affixed to said receptacle, meansfor charging said chamber with and exhausting therefrom a heatedvaporous work treating medium under superatrnospheric pressure, meansmounting said door and receptacle for shifting as a unit outwardly fromsaid chamber to open said door andmove said receptacle from beneath saidcover to a loading and unloading position without said chamber includinga mobile carriage, said means for rotating said receptacle includingmeans mounted upon said carriage and operatively connected with andoperable for actuating said shaft, and means upon said carriage operablefor actuating the same thereby to open said door and shift saidreceptacle through the door opening to said loading and unloadingposition.

8. In textile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a door, means locking said door and hermetically sealing saidchamber from atmosphere including a pair of abutting flangesrespectively upon said chamber providing means and door, a gasketbetween said flanges, a lock ring embracing and releasably locking saidflanges together, and means operatively interposed between said chamberproviding means and said ring and operable for shifting said ringcircumferentially relative to said flanges for unlocking said door, areceptacle in said chamber including a cover over an opening in saidreceptacle through which said receptacle may be loaded with work andunloaded, means mounting said receptacle for rotation, means forrotating said receptacle, means for charging said chamber with andexhausting therefrom a heated vaporo-us work treating medium undersuperatrnospheric pressure, means mounting said receptacle for shiftinghorizontally from beneath said cover to a loading and unloading positionwithout said chamber, and means for opening said door and shifting saidreceptacle through the door opening to said loading and unloadingposition.

9. In textile treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a fluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber fromatmosphere, a receptacle in said chamber including a cover over anopening in said receptacle through which said receptacle may be loadedwith work and unloaded, means mounting said receptacle for rotation,means for rotating said receptacle, means for charging said chamber withand exhausting therefrom a heated vaporous work treating medium undersuperatmospheric pressure including means underlying said receptacle andadapted for containing a fiuid medium,

and heat exchange means operable for vaporizing said fluid, meansmounting said receptacle for shifting horizontally from beneath saidcover to a loading and unloading position Without said chamber, andmeans for opening said doorand shifting said receptacle through the dooropening to said loading and unloading position,

'10. In textile. treating apparatus, means providing a closed chamberhaving a fluid tight door hermetically sealing said chamber fromatmosphere, a receptacle in said chamber including a cover over anopening in said receptacle through which said receptacle may be loadedwith work and unloaded, means mounting said receptacle for rotation,means for rotating said receptacle, means for charging said chamber withand exhausting therefrom a heated vaporous work treating medium undersuperatmospheric pressure including an open pan underlying saidreceptacle, and heat exchange means in said pan operable for vaporizinga fluid medium in said pan, means mounting said receptacle for shiftinghorizontally from beneath said cover to a loading and unloading positionWithout said chamber, and means for opening said door and shifting saidreceptacle through the door opening to said loading and unloadingposition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

